Rochdale council has earned £2.88m from parking fines over the past three years, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. The local authority issued 90,644 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) between 2023 and 2025, generating just under £1m per year.
Income details and enforcement hotspots
The highest earning year was 2025, with £990,256 collected. The total value of all PCNs issued was just over £5.6m, but the actual income is lower because some fines are successfully challenged or costs are incurred in chasing unpaid penalties.
The FOI, submitted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, also identified the borough's main enforcement hotspots. Newgate had the highest number of PCNs with 790, generating £54,920. Yorkshire Street Central followed with 623 PCNs and £39,970 in income, while Oldham Road Central saw 564 PCNs and £35,600.
Revenue reinvestment and safety rationale
The town hall says all money generated from PCNs is reinvested into the road network. This could include fixing potholes, re-drawing road markers or funding larger infrastructure projects.
A spokesperson for Rochdale council said: "In line with other local authorities, we follow government guidance, which states that money raised from parking enforcement must be reinvested into the highways network.
"However, we enforce for road safety reasons, like keeping junctions clear, so drivers have good visibility, keeping dropped kerbs clear for wheelchair users and other road users who require extra support, and ensuring increased safety around vulnerable areas like schools."
